Morobe Leading the Agricultural Transformation: Responding to the Prime Minister’s Call to Action

On Friday, 29 August 2025, Grow PNG, in collaboration with the Australian Consulate-General, Lae, convened a high-level dialogue at the Lae Golf Club to advance discussions on land access and agricultural transformation in Papua New Guinea. The event brought together more than 30 leaders from the Morobe Provincial Government, the Markham District Development Authority, the Huon Gulf District Development Authority, agribusinesses, and development partners.

The session was moderated by Mr Darren Yorio, Grow PNG Advisory Council Member and Country Director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Papua New Guinea, and directly responded to the Prime Minister’s call for practical, collaborative action to unlock land access and drive inclusive agricultural growth.

Key Highlights from the Dialogue

• Welcome Remarks: Mr Phil Franklin MBE, CEO of Mainland Holdings Ltd and Co-Chair of the Grow PNG Advisory Council, opened the session by introducing Grow PNG and reflecting on the initiative’s key achievements and ongoing challenges since its establishment in 2020.

• Keynote Address : Mr David Wissink, Director of Muruk Tropical Produce Ltd, emphasised that Morobe Province is well-positioned to lead Papua New Guinea’s agricultural transformation, citing its land availability, human capital, and strategic location. He identified insecure land tenure as a major constraint to investment and highlighted Grow PNG’s Land Access Training and the Waba’Ani Agri Partnership Program (WAPP) as practical models for building investment-ready agricultural systems. High-potential crops discussed included taro, cocoa, cassava, fruits, and vegetables, offering strong income opportunities for smallholder farmers.

• Australian Government Support; Mr Brenton Kanowski, Australian Consul-General, reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Papua New Guinea’s agricultural sector and ensuring investments align with national development priorities.

  
  

• Land Access Concept Model: Mr David Stewart, Grow PNG Country Director, presented a Land Access Concept Model aimed at securing land rights, reducing investor risk, and unlocking scalable agricultural opportunities. He underscored the importance of urgency, trust-building with landowners, and learning from past project experiences to ensure long-term success.

  
  

• Government Perspectives: Hon. Willie Simbisi Deputy Governor of Morobe Province, reaffirmed the need for timely and coordinated action and expressed strong support for Grow PNG’s work.

• Hon. Jason Peter, Member for Huon Gulf District, highlighted the cultural significance of land and its potential to generate economic opportunities for women, youth, and families.

  
  

• Grow Asia Support: Representing Grow Asia, Chrissa “Borj” Borja emphasised the importance of leveraging regional insights, co-developing strategies, and ensuring that initiatives complement and strengthen local efforts.

  
  

• Interactive Stakeholder Dialogue: Participants engaged in an open discussion on pathways for inclusive, sustainable, and market-driven agriculture, identifying opportunities for collaboration across government, private sector, and development partners.

From Dialogue to Action

The event also featured a K1.1 million land access proposal, which includes the re-certification of 24 Incorporated Land Group (ILG) titles and the expansion of Grow PNG’s land access model across the Markham Valley.

A direct call to action was made to the Morobe Provincial Government, Markham District Development Authority, and partners to form a funding partnership to advance this work.

Grow PNG will continue consultations to mobilise resources for the Markham Valley Land Access Model, positioning Morobe Province as a national blueprint for agricultural land access reform and investment facilitation.

🎥 Video Highlights

Watch the highlights from the event to hear directly from leaders and stakeholders

Grow PNG sincerely thanks all partners and stakeholders who contributed to this important dialogue.